Dog rescued near Lake Trammell, found covered in porcupine quills

SWEETWATER, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) - A dog covered in porcupine quills rescued from Lake Trammell in Sweetwater now has a loving home and all thanks to a woman who says rescuing animals comes second nature to her.

It's hard to believe that Jojo and her owner Haylee haven't known each other for more than a week.

The two met in the most unexpected way after a woman took a chance one day to help someone a little smaller in size.

"I just think it's our responsibility just to look out for people or animals that are in misery or hurting and so it was just kind of a no-brainer for me, I just knew it was the right thing to do," said Sweetwater resident Bri Burnett.

Burnett has always had a love for animals which is why she was the first person called when her friend noticed a dog in need by Lake Trammell.

"I left that afternoon from work and went straight out to Lake Trammell and there she was," said Burnett.

She says the dog was covered in porcupine quills.

"She was so sweet, just kind of hunkered down," said Burnett. "Her little sides were caved in probably from just not having much to eat or drink and she just couldn't. She was so full of quills that she literally could not swallow."

Burnett took her to the vet and spent her own money, to remove the quills that took the vet almost 45 minutes.

She says it was an act of kindness that was a no-brainer.

"I grew up in the country and I remember bringing home lambs that had been injured or deer that had been shot but not killed and so this is kind of a life long habit of mine," said Burnett. "So bringing home another dog was just kind of second nature."

After the vet trip, Burnett says she was determined to find a forever home for this four-legged friend so she took to Facebook where she finally landed her eyes on what would be Jojo's saving grace and her name was Haylee.